The former Germany international and Bayern Munich and Liverpool veteran has only been in Australia a few months but he's been shocked by the way the A-League recycles players.

And because the up and coming stars know they will always get another top tier club, it gets them into bad habits when they go overseas.

"In Australia, it’s not tough enough," Babbel revealed in an article for Players Voice. "I’ve looked across the A-League and seen some 23-year-olds who have played for five clubs … in a 10-team competition?! That is not normal.

"It means there is no real motivation for young players because in the back of their minds they know they can fail many times and still have another chance.

"Still, Aussies have a good mentality. I saw it in Mark Viduka, Harry Kewell, Lucas Neill and so many others during my career.."

But some of our most recent exports, like Socceroos World Cup striker Tomi Juric, just haven't put in the required effort week after week, he said.

Juric's one goal every four games strike rate in front of goal for Australia came in for criticism during Russia 2018 where the Socceroos found it impossible to score from open play.

"I’ve seen Australian footballers go to Europe before they are ready far too often, only to leave after just one or two seasons," said Babbel, 45, who joined Wanderers after four years as coach at Swiss side, FC Luzern.

"And I’ve coached Australians as well. Tomi Juric, Oli Bozanic and Nikita Rukavytsya are among them. Each of them was very skilful. On their day they were better than many, many other players.

"Still, the problem was that they couldn’t do it every week. Once every four games is not enough. You need to show your best at least three times out of four.

"I spent time working on each of them but especially with Tomi at Luzern for the last two years because I could see his talent.

"I’m sure he can play in one of the big leagues – Germany, England, Italy or Spain – but when we began his mentality was not strong enough. I’ve seen him improve a lot. He might still make that next step.

"And, to be fair, it wasn’t easy for him either because whenever we were on holiday he was always away with the national team. Each trip was 24 hours to Australia, then somewhere else in Asia, then back to Europe.

"I think the longest break he had was about 14 days. That’s not’s not enough for a footballer to clear his head after a long season. Now he’s injured and it’s because he hasn’t had any rest."

Now Babbel wants to be part of a radical overhaul of player mentality in the A-League and beyond for Aussie players.

He added: "As coach of the Wanderers, it’s something I want to change.

"I want to prepare young players for that next step because over there it’s not enough to just be good technically or tactically.

"You have to be mentally ready. You need to be strong and fit. You must be courageous going into challenges. These are areas where I think many young Australians need to improve.

"There are so many good footballers in Europe that, if you’re not constantly at a high level, one of them will take your place. And you need to be ready for that challenge before you arrive.

"Young footballers should have to fight for their place in a team."